Larry D. Smith Obituary

Larry D. Smith attended Ramona High School in Riverside, CA. View the obituary, post a memory, or share a photo about Larry D. Smith.

Graduation Year	Class of 1962
Date of Passing	Apr 19, 2013
About	LARRY D. SMITH Larry D. Smith was born in Mattoon, Illinois, on June 21, 1944, the son of Delbert and June Smith. He died peacefully at home in La Quinta, CA, on April 19, 2013, after many years of cardio-vascular and pulmonary challenges. He battled and beat prostate cancer twice and soldiered a long-term battle with bladder cancer. He is survived by his sister, Vicki Heidrich of Fort Pierce, Florida; daughter Tracie Teague of Ventura and sons Darrell Smith of Yucaipa and Bryan Crabb of Sacramento. He has seven grandchildren and one great grandson. He was also blessed by his wife and best friend, Toni, who daily basked in his unconditional love and laughed at his dry wit. They enjoyed a love of history, politics, world travel to seven continents, and never ran out of wide-ranging topics to discuss. Larry spent the first 12 years of his life in the Village of Ridge Farm, Illinois, and was shaped by midwestern values. Upon his move to Riverside, CA, he attended local schools. He attended UCLA and received his bachelor's degree from Pepperdine University. He completed numerous post-graduate classes and attended law school. He was on track to complete the bar but set that aside when asked to run and was later elected two terms as the 11th Sheriff-Coroner-Public Administrator of Riverside County. He had a distinguished 36-year career in law enforcement with the Riverside County Sheriff's Department, having served in capacities from deputy sheriff to chief deputy, working in many of the sheriff's stations and functions of the department. Larry was President of the California State Sheriffs' Association, having been elected by his peers, the 58 elected sheriffs of California. He also served on numerous federal, state, and local public safety committees and task forces and received awards and accolades. Larry cherished his family, friends, and colleagues and was known for his grace, dignity, and high ethical standards. He was giving of his time, sage advice and counsel, and mentored and encouraged others to achieve their potential. In his retirement, he continued to serve others on boards, committees, and in other philanthropic activities in Riverside and the Coachella Valley. Larry was active in the alcoholism recovery community, served as a Board member of The Ranch Recovery Centers, Inc., and was a proud, long-time member of Alcoholics Anonymous. He was active in the Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church serving as an elder and chaired the Personnel Committee for six years. A memorial service is scheduled for Saturday, May 4, 11 a.m., at the Palm Desert Community Presbyterian Church, 47-321 Highway 74, Palm Desert. In lieu of flowers, please send contributions for those in need of treatment from the devastating effects of alcoholism and drug dependency to the: Larry D. Smith Recovery Scholarship Fund, c/o The Ranch Recovery Centers, Inc., 7885 Annandale Avenue, Desert Hot Springs, CA 92240; credit card payments may be made to (760) 329-2924 .